EIT Water and the New Adriatic-Ionian Co-Location Centre Kick-off in 2026
The European Institute of Innovation and Technology’s Water and the newly established, regional Adriatic-Ionian Co-Location Centre (CLC South) have officially kicked off!
Bringing together policymakers, innovators, researchers, and industry leaders, the event turned regional challenges into shared priorities — spotlighting practical solutions and cross-border collaboration to protect the Adriatic and accelerate water innovation across Europe.
The European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) has selected the consortium Allwaters, consisting of 50 partners from 24 countries, that will lead EIT Water — a new Knowledge and Innovation Community (KIC) dedicated to responding to Europe’s key water, marine, and maritime challenges. Blue economy in full scope!
The main focus areas are, according to the EIT:
- water scarcity, drought and floods
- marine and freshwater ecosystem degradation
- the development of a circular and sustainable blue economy
SeaCras is extremely proud to be an official associated partner of EIT Water and member of the Adriatic-Ionian Co-Location (CLC South). Being part of the winning consortium matters. But this is bigger than us — it’s also a call for others to join, build, and scale impact together.
Mario Špadina, SeaCras’ CEO, giving a statement to the press during the EIT Water and CLC South Event
For Croatia, and especially the Adriatic regions, establishing the CLC South on our coast creates a real platform to turn European vision into regional value:
- positioning Croatia as a Mediterranean hub for water and maritime innovation, closely linked with ports (such as the partnership with the Zadar Cruise Port), tourism (e.g., sea quality app project with ZCP and Rewilding Velebit), fisheries, and logistics
- attracting high-value jobs in engineering, data science, environmental services, and technology transfer, rooted in our universities and research institutes
This was a clear signal that collaboration, expertise, and responsible leadership are essential to moving from words to measurable progress. Together, we are laying the foundations for a cleaner, more resilient future through decisions and partnerships that deliver tangible impact.
Only together can we solve the urgent environmental, social, and economic challenges around our common good — the only hydrosphere we have.